Transport dollies

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, a transport dolly includes a base having a generally horizontal platform adapted to support an object to be moved and generally vertical side walls that extend downward from edges of the platform toward a floor or ground surface, and casters mounted to a bottom surface of the platform between the side walls, the casters being dimensioned such that bottom edges of the side walls nearly touch the floor or ground surface such that the casters are enclosed and protected by the side walls.

BACKGROUND

Large, cumbersome, or heavy objects, such as mattresses, furniture, andlarge flat screen televisions are often moved using a transport dolly.While transport dollies can take a variety of forms, the typicaltransport dolly at least includes a platform upon which objects can beplaced and wheels that enable the platform to be easily moved across asurface, such as a floor, sidewalk, or road.

While such dollies simplify the movement of objects, their platforms areoften relatively high off of the ground, which can make it difficult toload heavy objects onto the dolly. In addition, many dollies have nohandles, in which case the user must push on the object, instead of thedolly, to move the object. In such a case, the object may fall off ofthe dolly if an obstruction such as a doorway threshold is encounteredby the dolly as the object is being moved. Dollies that do have handlesoften limit the size of the load that can be carried. In addition, thewheels of conventional dollies are typically exposed and are thereforevulnerable to damage from running into an obstruction.

Many dollies, such as those for large objects like mattresses, also tendto be relatively large and heavy, which makes them difficult to maneuverand store. Moreover, such dollies tend to have fixed vertical poststhat, although useful for supporting objects and pushing the dolly,preclude the dolly from being used to transport objects that do not fitbetween the posts.

From the above discussion, it can be appreciated that it would bedesirable to have a transport dolly that avoids at least some of theaforementioned drawbacks of conventional transport dollies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure may be better understood with reference to thefollowing figures. Matching reference numerals designate correspondingparts throughout the figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a first embodiment of a transportdolly.

FIG. 2 is a first side view of the transport dolly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a second side view of the transport dolly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the transport dolly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a detail bottom view of a support structure of the transportdolly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a sheet of metal prior to being folded andwelded to form a base of the transport dolly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the transport dolly of FIG. 1showing vertical posts inserted into a platform of the dolly in a firstconfiguration.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the transport dolly of FIG. 1showing vertical posts inserted into a platform of the dolly in a secondconfiguration.

FIG. 9 is a detail view of a post secured to the base of the transportdolly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of a transportdolly.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the transport dolly of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the transport dolly of FIG. 10showing vertical posts and horizontal posts inserted into the base ofthe dolly.

FIG. 13 is a detail view of casters mounted to the horizontal postsshown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a detail view of stops mounted to the horizontal posts shownin FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As described above, it would be desirable to have a transport dolly thatavoids at least some of the drawbacks of conventional transport dollies.Disclosed herein are examples of such transport dollies. In oneembodiment, a transport dolly includes a base having a generallyhorizontal platform and generally vertical sides that extend downwardfrom the edges of the platform to a point near the floor or groundsurface. In some embodiments, the platform and sides are rectangular, inwhich case the base forms a “box” having eight orthogonal corners.Mounted to a bottom surface of the platform between the sides are wheelsthat support the base above the floor or ground surface. In someembodiments, the platform includes multiple openings that are adapted toreceive removable posts that can be used to support objects loaded ontothe platform and that can be used as handles to push or pull the dolly.In some embodiments, the sides include multiple openings that areadapted to receive removable posts that can be used to extend thesupport surface of the dolly and/or support additional wheels thatfacilitate movement of the dolly up and down inclines.

In the following disclosure, various specific embodiments are described.It is to be understood that those embodiments are exampleimplementations of the disclosed inventions and that alternativeembodiments are possible. All such embodiments are intended to fallwithin the scope of this disclosure.

FIGS. 1-9 illustrate a first embodiment of a transport dolly 10 that canbe used to move objects. With particular reference to FIG. 1, the dolly10 generally comprises a base 12 that includes a generally horizontalplatform 14 and multiple generally vertical sides 16 and 18 that extenddownward from the edges of the platform. In the illustrated embodiment,the platform 14 and the sides 16, 18 are rectangular so that the base 12forms a box having eight orthogonal corners. As is apparent from FIG. 1,the platform 14 has a smaller width than length, such that the sides 16are shorter than the sides 18. The dimensions of the base 12 can beselected based upon the particular application in which the dolly 10will be used. As an example, however, the platform 14 can have a widthof approximately 25 inches and a length of approximately 30 inches, andthe sides 16, 18 can have a height of approximately 4.5 inches. In someembodiments, the base 12, including the platform 14 and sides 16, 18,are unitarily formed from a single piece of material. For example, thebase 12 can be formed from a single metal plate that is folded andwelded to take the form of the base shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 shows anexample metal plate 20 prior to such folding and welding. By way ofexample, the plate 20 can be made of steel and can be approximately 1.27to 3.57 mm thick.

With reference back to FIG. 1, the platform 14 includes multipleopenings 22 and 24 that are adapted to receive removable vertical posts.These openings 22, 24 are formed around the edges of the platform 14. Inthe example of FIG. 1, there are four openings 22 provided along theedges from which the sides 16 extend downward, and there are threeopenings 22 provided along the edges from which the sides 18 extenddownward. As is described below, vertical posts can be inserted into oneor more of the openings 22, 24 and supported therein to provide lateralsupport to objects on the platform and/or enable a user to move thedolly without pushing on the object it supports. In the illustratedembodiment, the openings 22, 24 are rectangular, in which case the postscan have rectangular cross-sections.

The sides 16, 18 can also include multiple openings. As shown mostclearly in FIG. 2, the sides 16 can, for example, include openings 26formed along their top edges that are adapted to receive removablehorizontal posts. In a similar manner, the sides 18 can, for example,include openings 28 formed along their top edges, as shown in FIG. 3,that are also adapted to receive removable horizontal posts. In theillustrated example, both the sides 16 and the sides 18 include fouropenings 26, 28. As with the openings 22, 24, the openings 26, 28 can berectangular, in which case the received posts can have rectangularcross-sections. When the openings 26 of both sides 16 align with eachother or the openings 28 of both sides 18 align with each other, a postcan be passed through an opening of two opposed sides such that the postcompletely passes through the base 12 (see FIG. 12).

In some embodiments, the sides 16, 18 include further openings. Forexample, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sides 16 and the sides 18can include tie-down strap openings 30 and 32, respectively, that can beused to attach a tie-down strap to the base 12. By way of example, hooksof the tie-down strap can be passed through the openings 30, 32 and thestrap can be tightened around an object supported by the base 12.

With further reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the sides 16 and the sides 18can also include openings 34 and 36, respectively, that enable themounting of support brackets (described below) to the base 12 that areassociated with each of the openings 22, 24 and support a vertical postthat has been passed through its associated opening. As shown in FIGS. 2and 3, the openings 34, 36 can be positioned near the bottom edges ofthe sides 16, 18.

Referring next to FIG. 4, the dolly 10 is illustrated upside down so asto reveal its underside. As can be appreciated from this figure, the“box” formed by the base 12 is open. Specifically, there is no lowerplatform opposite the platform 14 that would form a closed box shape. Ascan also be appreciated from FIG. 4, the base 12 is hollow such that itforms an interior space 38 that is defined by the platform 14 and thesides 16, 18, which laterally enclose the space 38. Within the space 38are multiple casters 40, each comprising a wheel 42 and a mountingbracket 44 that enables the wheel to swivel about a vertical axis. Eachof the casters 40 is mounted to a bottom surface of the platform 14 withits associated bracket 44. In the illustrated embodiment, the dolly 10includes four such casters 40, one provided at each corner of theplatform 14. It is noted, however, that a fifth caster can be mounted inthe center of the platform 14 using studs 46 that extend down from theplatform 14.

Irrespective of casters 40 that are used, they are of a height thatsupports the base 12 above the floor or ground surface such that thebottom edges of the sides 16, 18 are spaced only a small distance abovethe surface. In some embodiments, the casters 40 support the base 12 sothere is only approximately 10 to 20 mm between the bottom edges of thesides 16, 18 and the floor or ground surface. When the clearance and theheights of the sides 16, 18 are small, and the top of the platform 14 islow, it is much easier to load the dolly 10. In some embodiments, thetop of the platform 14 of the base 12 is no more than 4 to 6 inchesabove the floor or ground surface. It is also noted that, because thesides 16, 18 are close to the floor or ground surface, the casters 40are surrounded in all directions by the sides and therefore protectedfrom contact with obstructions that could damage them.

As is further illustrated in FIG. 4, the sides 16 and the sides 18 eachform lips 48 and 50, respectively. These lips 48, 50 are welded togetherat their ends (in the bottom corners of the base 12) so as to form acontinuous lip that extends along the bottom edges of the sides 16, 18toward the center of the base 12 in a plane that is generally parallelto the platform 14. Additional material can be provided at each cornerof the base 12 where the lips 48, 50 meet to provide reinforcement. Inparticular, each of the bottom corners of the base 12 can include atriangular element 52 that provides this reinforcement. By way ofexample, each lip 48, 50 can be approximately 1 inch in width and can beunitarily formed with its associated the side 16, 18. As is describedbelow, the lips 48, 50 also provide support to vertical posts that arepassed through the platform 14.

FIG. 5 is a detail view of the underside of the base 12 that reveals asupport structure adapted to support a vertical post that is insertedthrough one of the openings 22, 24 provided in the platform 14. Moreparticularly, FIG. 5 is a detail view of a support structure provided ona side 18 of the base 12. As illustrated in the figure, a supportbracket 54 is mounted to the side 18 with threaded fasteners 56, such asthreaded bolts, that are secured with threaded nuts 57. In theillustrated embodiment, the bracket 54 comprises a continuous strip ofmetal, which may be similar to metal used to form the base 12, that hasbeen bent so as to form a U-shaped bracket having outwardly extendingtabs 58 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) at the ends of the “U” through which thethreaded fasteners 56 can pass. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tabs 58of the bracket 54 can be positioned so they rest upon the outer surfacesof the sides 16, 18, and the remainder of the bracket passes through anopening 34, 36 to achieve a configuration like that shown in FIG. 5.

When the bracket 54 is mounted to the side 18 in the manner depicted inFIG. 5, a post can be passed through the opening 24 (or opening 22) inthe platform 14, passed through the U-shaped bracket 54, and supportedby the lip 50 (or lip 48). The post is then supported by the supportstructure, which can be characterized as including the opening 24 (oropening 22), the bracket 54, and the lip 50 (or lip 48). As is furthershown in FIG. 5, each bracket 54 can include a central opening 60 thatis adapted to receive a fastener, such as a locking pin, which can beused to secure the post in place and prevent its unintended removal.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show two examples of removable vertical posts 62 beinginserted into and supported by the base 12. In both figures, the posts62 have rectangular (square) cross-sections and each is approximately 4to 5 feet long. Beginning with FIG. 7, four vertical posts 62 have beeninserted into the base 12, with two posts 62 inserted into openings 22provided in the two opposed sides 16. Turning to FIG. 8, two posts 62have been inserted into openings 24 provided in the two opposed sides18. FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate just two of numerous configurations thatcan be achieved. Generally speaking, a post 62 can be inserted into anyone of the openings 22, 24 as is appropriate for the particularapplication in which the dolly 10 will be used. Irrespective of how manyposts 62 are used, each post 62 is supported by its own supportstructure comprised of an opening 22, 24, a bracket 54, and a lip 48,50.

When a post 62 is inserted into an opening 22, 24 and it passes througha bracket 54, its weight is supported by the lip 48, 50. In such a case,the post 62 can be removed by simply pulling it upward out of theopening 22, 24. In some embodiments, the post 62 can be locked in placeso as to avoid unintended removal or to enable pulling upward on thedolly 10 using the post. FIG. 9 illustrates one way in which suchlocking can be achieved. As shown in this figure, a locking pin 64 hasbeen passed through an opening 66 formed near the bottom end of the post62. When fully inserted, the locking pin 64 passes completely throughthe post 62 and through the central opening 60 formed in the bracket 54(see FIG. 5). In some embodiments, the pin 64 comprises a smooth shaftand a spring-biased detent (not visible) that is provided near thedistal tip of the shaft.

FIGS. 10-14 illustrate a second embodiment of a transport dolly 70. Thedolly 70 is similar to the dolly 10 in many ways. Accordingly, the dolly70 includes many of the components of the dolly 10, which have beenidentified with like reference numerals. The dolly 70, however, includesexposed wheels 72 that are mounted to the sides 16 with mountingbrackets 74. Unlike the casters 40 described above, the wheels 72 cannotpivot around an axis. Instead, they can only rotate about their axles.In addition, the wheels 72 are raised above the floor or ground surfacewhen the dolly 10 is on level ground. Like the bottom edges of the sides16, 18 of the base 12, the wheels 72 can be spaced from the ground byapproximately 10 to 20 mm. Because of this, the wheels 72 do not providesupport to the dolly 10 when it is moved over an even surface. Instead,the wheels 72 only contact the floor or ground when the dolly 70 ismoved from a first surface to another surface having a different angleof incline. For example, the wheels 72 support the dolly 10 when it ispushed from level ground up an inclined ramp. With reference to FIG. 11,the dolly 70 also differs from the dolly 10 in that the dolly 70includes five casters 40 instead of four. By combining the dolly 70 withthe posts 62 of FIG. 9, the dolly can be pivoted like a hand truck formaneuvering up and down stairs.

FIGS. 12-14 show multiple posts attached to the dolly 70. As shown inFIG. 12, removable vertical posts 62 have been inserted into the base 12with two posts inserted into two openings 22 provided in the two opposedsides 16. In addition, four removable horizontal posts 76 have beenpassed through openings 26 provided in the sides 16. More particularly,the posts 76 have been passed through the openings 26 so that each oneextends a relatively long distance from one side 16 but extends only arelatively short distance from the opposite side. As shown in the detailview of FIG. 13, a caster 78 can be mounted to each long end of eachpost 76 with an adjustable mounting bracket 80. As shown in the detailview of FIG. 14, an adjustable stop bracket 82 can be mounted to eachend of the posts 76, bracketing the base 12 in between. When such aconfiguration is used, the posts 76 will not move (slide) relative tothe base 12 and can be used as an extended platform to support objectson the base 12. In addition, the casters 78 can assist in moving thedolly 70 over uneven surfaces in a similar manner to the wheels 72. Thecasters 78 on the opposite sides of the base 12, however, are spaced agreater distance apart so that they can be used to move the dolly overgreater incline changes. In some embodiments, the casters 78 can belockable.

The above-described transport dollies provide several advantages overconventional transport dollies. Because the platform is relatively low,it is easier to load the dolly, especially when the object to be movedis heavy. In addition, because posts can be added to the dolly,supported objects can be moved without having to push the objectsthemselves. Furthermore, because the dolly is small and lightweight, itis much easier to maneuver and store. Because the posts are removableand the base of the dolly is low, it may be possible to store the basebeneath another object, such as a storage rack, thereby freeing up floorspace. Moreover, because the posts can be connected to the base inmultiple orientations, the dolly can be used to support objects having avariety of sizes and shapes.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A transport dolly comprising: a baseincluding a generally horizontal platform adapted to support an objectto be moved, the platform including a bottom surface and a flatcontinuous top surface having side edges, the base further includinggenerally vertical side walls that extend downward from each of theedges of the top surface toward a floor or ground surface, wherein theside walls comprise multiple wall openings adapted to receive aremovable horizontal post; and casters mounted to the bottom surface ofthe platform between the side walls, the casters and the side wallsbeing dimensioned such that bottom edges of the side walls nearly touchthe floor or ground surface on all sides of the base such that thecasters are enclosed and protected by the side walls on all sides of thetransport dolly.
 2. The dolly of claim 1, wherein base, including itsplatform and side walls, is made from a single piece of material.
 3. Thedolly of claim 2, wherein the base is made of a single sheet of steelthat has been folded to form the platform and side walls.
 4. The dollyof claim 1, wherein the platform comprises multiple platform openingsadapted to receive a removable vertical post.
 5. The dolly of claim 4,wherein the platform openings are positioned near the edges of the topsurface of the platform.
 6. The dolly of claim 4, wherein the basefurther comprises a support structure associated with each platformopening in the platform, each support structure being adapted to supporta vertical post that has been inserted into an associated platformopening.
 7. The dolly of claim 6, wherein the support structures eachcomprise a bracket positioned on an inner side of a side wall and a lipthat extends inward from the bottom edge of the side wall, wherein thepost passes through the bracket and is supported by the lip.
 8. Thedolly of claim 1, wherein the wall openings are positioned near topedges of the side walls.
 9. The dolly of claim 1, wherein the side wallsfurther comprise openings adapted to receive tie-down straps.
 10. Thedolly of claim 1, further comprising wheels mounted to opposed sidewalls of the base.
 11. The dolly of claim 10, wherein the wheels aremounted to the side walls such that the wheels do not contact the flooror ground surface when the surface is even.
 12. The dolly of claim 1,wherein the horizontal platform is devoid of any components that extendabove its flat, continuous upper surface.
 13. The dolly of claim 1,wherein the horizontal platform excludes rollers that would enable theobject to roll off of the top surface.